Prayer as Worship (Part 3)

Wayne Galloway
09/18/22 - Sunday Morning Worship

Worship 21

Prayer As Worship (3)

2 Sam. 7:18-25

Introduction:

1.  Prayer is one of the greatest privileges of the people of God.

2.  It is an awesome thing to come before the great God of the universe, to communicate with Him and to know that He hears and responds to us from His goodness and compassion.

3.  In our recent studies we have been looking at concrete examples of prayers.

     a.  We looked at the prayer of Abraham’s servant in the selection of Rebekah as wife for

          Isaac (Gen 24:12-14).

     b.  We looked at the intercessory prayers of Moses for the forgiveness of the people in

          relation to the golden calf incident and in their unfaithfulness in turning away from the

          promised land at Kadesh-barnea.

     c.  In each of these instances God’s lovingkindness is specifically mentioned as the key

          element in His gracious response to these prayers (Gen. 24:12, 14; Num. 14:18-19).

4.  Without God’s lovingkindness there is no need, no motive, and no reason for prayer.

5.  In this study we will consider two concrete prayers prayed by King David.  Both prayers celebrate what God has done for His people.  Perhaps it would be better for us to ask for less and celebrate more what God has done for us!

Discussion:

I.  The first prayer is found in 2 Sam. 7:18-29.

    A.  David had planned on building a house for God in Jerusalem.

          1.  It was a good idea.

          2.  Nathan the prophet agreed.

          3.  But God said in effect, “I did not ask you to build Me a house.  Instead, I am going to

               build you a house.”

          4.  David had planned on building the temple, but God would build David a household. 

               God would build a family for David and establish the throne of his kingdom forever

               (Read 2 Sam. 7:12-16).

          5.  David’s prayer was in response to God’s promise.

     B.  In the first part of David’s prayer, he acknowledged his place in the unfolding plan of God

          (18-21).

          1.  David acknowledged his own insignificance (18) and yet God had not only brought him

               to his current place but had promised him great things for the future (19-20).

          2.  David recognized that God was blessing him and using him in the unfolding of His plan

               (21).

          3.  We need to see ourselves as part of God’s unfolding plan.  We need to acknowledge

               our own insignificance and yet recognize that God is at work empowering us as

               servants in His kingdom.

                 a.  Nine times in this prayer David refers to himself as God’s servant (19, 20, 21, 25,

                      26, 27, 28, 29 (2 times)).

                 b.  Paul asked, “What is Apollos?  What is Paul?” His answer, “Servants through whom

                      you believed.  I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth” (1 Cor.

                      3:5-7).

                 c.  If we are to pray appropriately, we need to see ourselves as mere servants, through

                      whom God works.  We should not lift ourselves, but we should praise God for His

                      work through us (cf. 1 Cor. 4:6-13).  Humility in prayer marks the servant of God. 

                      Our prayers need to praise Him who empowers us to participate in His work.

                 d.  David’s plan was good and significant—to build the temple, BUT God’s greater plan

                       was to build a household composed of people that He would bless forever.  That is

                       who we are.

                 e.  Paul wrote, “You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens

                      with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of

                      the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom

                      the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,

                      in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit” (Eph.

                      2:19-22).

          C.  The second part of David’s prayer praised God for His greatness (22-24).

               1.  Nothing is any more important to prayer than praising God for His greatness.

               2.  Abraham’s servant praised God as “YHWH, the God of my master Abraham.  He

                    recognized Him as a God of lovingkindness” (Gen. 24:12).  He recognized Him as

                    working in the affairs of men.  He recognized that he was a part of the unfolding

                    plan of God for Abraham, Isaac and Rebekah.

              3.  Moses praised God for His power, His lovingkindness and His forgiveness (Num.

                   14:17-18).  He praised God as the God who brought Israel out of Egypt, and had

                   redeemed them through His greatness (Deut. 9:26).

              4.  Our prayers will be improved by praising the great God of heaven.  Jesus taught His

                    disciples to pray, “Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name” (Matt. 6:9).

              5.  The disciples in Acts 4:24 prayed, “O Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the

                   earth and the sea, and all that is in them.”  They needed His power and the first thing

                   they did was to acknowledge it.  They acknowledged Him as communicator (25) and

                   sovereign in the affairs of men and they asked, as His servants, that they might speak

                   His word with confidence (29).  They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to

                   speak the word of God with boldness.

         D.  The third part of David’s prayer involved David’s request that God confirm His word,

               that He might be magnified and that His people might receive His blessing (25-29).

               1.  Is there any doubt that God will confirm His word?  Is there any doubt that God will

                    do as He has spoken?  Certainly not!  That is not the motive of David’s prayer.

               2.  David confesses that the Lord is God.  “Your words are truth and You have promised

                    good things.”  David is acknowledging his acceptance of the promise of God.

               3.  As God fulfills the promise He will be magnified and His people will receive blessing.

II.  The second prayer is found in 1 Chron. 29:10-20.

       A.  David prepared for the building of the temple by giving to the project himself but he also

             collected contributions from the people (1 Chron. 29:1-9).

       B.  His prayer was motivated by the great willingness with which these offerings were

            made.

       C.  The first part of the prayer involves praise to God (10-13).

             1.  This is a public prayer.

             2.  In light of the fact that the contributions have been so great, David praises God as the

                  one who has given all these blessings.  It is He who has made their contributions

                  possible.

             3.  We will do well to count our many blessings and to praise God that His sovereignty

                  has given us this great wealth.

             4.  Such an attitude is reflected in willing offerings that reflect faith in God to supply us

                  in the future.  Hoarding is not necessary when we are confident in God to supply us.

             5.  The churches of Macedonia gave like this (2 Cor. 8:1-5).  The church at Corinth was

                   encouraged to not allow covetous to affect their gift for the support of the saints (2

                   Cor. 9:5-14).  God had given to them.  They had been enriched for all liberality.

              6.  It is a healthy practice for us to let such praise be a part of our prayers.

        D.  In the second part of the prayer David acknowledges their insignificance, but God’s

              blessing (14-17).  “We have given, but You have provided,” He says.

        E.  In the third part of the prayer David asks that the people continue to have a willing

             heart directed toward God (18-19).  It was not only about their offering to the

             construction of the temple, it was about hearts given to God (18; cf. 2 Cor. 8:5).

        F.  When our hearts are given to God it is reflected in our prayers of praise and

             thanksgiving.  It is reflected in our willing and generous gifts to the Lord’s work.

Conclusion:

1.  Are your prayers characterized by a recognition of your place in the unfolding of the plan of God?

2.  Are your prayers reflective of the praise due God for His greatness and for His blessing us so that we can be of service in His kingdom?

3.  Do you pray with thanksgiving for those who have given their hearts to the Lord that such devotion might be preserved in their hearts forever?

4.  If David prays this way in light of the construction of a physical temple how much more should we pray this way in our construction of the family of God!